# Pet Peeve: Control Freaks **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 30, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779 "2009-07-30T15:46:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/21 "2009-07-30T21:39:08Z")
> [@Sebastienne](#): > > The First Amendment gives me the right to tell you … Are you the Government? If not, the First Amendment has nothing to say about what you can or can’t do. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/22 "2009-07-30T21:46:20Z")
The First Amendment doesn’t give me any rights. I was born with the right to say what I want, the FA is just an acknowledgement of that. 😛 But really, I don’t think this thread has anything to do with the FA at all. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/23 "2009-07-30T21:52:44Z")
That’s your problem? You should be _thankful_ that’s the extent of it. _My_ coworkers have no sense of the \*\*Eighth \*\*Amendment. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Sebastienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Sebastienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sebastienne)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/24 "2009-07-30T22:46:26Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Are you the Government? If not, the First Amendment has nothing to say about what you can or can’t do. But it does have something to say about what the government (or at least, congress) can say I can or can’t do. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/25 "2009-07-30T23:21:12Z")
> [@Sebastienne](#): > > But it does have something to say about what the government (or at least, congress) can say I can or can’t do. Yeah, but has nothing to say about what I can or can’t say about what the government can or can’t say about what you can or can’t say. Oh, say … can you see? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/26 "2009-07-31T00:07:54Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > If you’re shoveling people into ovens, wearing a Nazi uniform, and liking old Adolf, friends and co-workers are going to speak up. > [@silvermist](#): > > To clarify how benign my latest crime was, I’ll explain: I had been working a lot of overtime hours and didn’t have the energy to do my laundry so even though it was a warm day, I wore a black, short-sleeved blouse to work, because it was the only short-sleeved blouse I had clean. Unless said black, short-sleeved blouse had SS lightning bolts on it, I’m siding with you on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/27 "2009-07-31T00:50:25Z")
I still don’t get it–what was wrong with the blouse? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/28 "2009-07-31T04:33:07Z")
The thing is a lot of people feel they know the correct answers and it’d just save everyone a lot of trouble if they just agree with them in the first place. As I’ve grown older I have learned there are somethings in life that come only with the passage of time. It doesn’t mean you’re not smart or you too opinionated or whatever, it just takes life experiences. Too often people forget what it’s like to be young and full of hope and ideals. Of course they’ll fail and waste time but that’s just life. Yet still an awful lot of people feel, it’d be easier all around just to listen to me, 'cause I know and perhaps they do. But somethings can’t be taught, they must be learned. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/29 "2009-07-31T04:57:36Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > The First Amendment gives us the right to make our own personal choices, but how many times have you had friends or coworkers call you into account for doing something, wearing something or liking someone that they don’t feel you should. > > They not only do it, but are persistent about it as though if they don’t give up you will be forced to change your mind. They even enlist others, take polls to increase their numbers and power to pressure you. > > I think people should just mind their own damn business. I have a simple solution for people like this, who think they know what’s best for me - what to wear, what to eat, to smoke or not smoke, etc. I tell them right off that it’s none of their damn business. End of discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/30 "2009-07-31T05:52:15Z")
OK, I get it. You’re not going to tell us what’s wrong with wearing a black blouse, and we’ll be left here wondering. But you wouldn’t do that, right? Because that’s just mean. I’ll be lying awake nights wondering. . . .what’s wrong with black blouses? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/31 "2009-07-31T06:05:41Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Nope, my Third Amendment rights mean you have to keep your tank off my property. Actually, he can indeed park his tank on your property. He just can’t sleep in your bed after doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/32 "2009-07-31T06:20:09Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > That’s your problem? You should be _thankful_ that’s the extent of it. _My_ coworkers have no sense of the \*\*Eighth \*\*Amendment. > :eek: That’s the one about coveting your neighbor’s ass, isn’t it??? :D:p ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/33 "2009-07-31T12:55:13Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > To clarify how benign my latest crime was, I’ll explain: I had been working a lot of overtime hours and didn’t have the energy to do my laundry so even though it was a warm day, I wore a black, short-sleeved blouse to work, because it was the only short-sleeved blouse I had clean. When I went to the smoking area, someone immediately seized on the opportunity to call me an idiot for wearing said blouse. Whereupon, others chimed in with their opinions, while the rest just kept silent and ignored it. > > I refused to defend myself because I considered it rude for them to start this in the first place and figured it would just blow over in time. The time that it took to blow over was approximately 6 weeks. I finally started taking my breaks in a different location so I wouldn’t have to listen to it anymore. > > Do you really think that people should act this way? They could have just speculated amongst themselves as to why I was wearing said blouse. They didn’t have to belittle me or confront me demanding an answer. I don’t owe anyone answers for my own personal choices. Do You? Are you a man, by any chance? Because if you were a man, I could sort of see why people would say, ‘hey dude, I know you need to do some laundry but wearing that women’s blouse to work isn’t cool.’ Otherwise, why would anybody give a damn? ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/34 "2009-07-31T13:29:20Z")
How would you describe yourself in general, **silvermist**? Where would you place yourself on the aggressive - assertive - passive scale? Do you think that the way you reacted to their initial comments had any impact on the length and degree of their verbal bullying? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/35 "2009-07-31T14:14:57Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Actually, he can indeed park his tank on your property. He just can’t sleep in your bed after doing so. Caselaw on the subject is pretty thin. I just wanted to invoke my Third Amendment rights, since no one ever seems to do so. ---
**Author:** ![silvermist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@silvermist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silvermist)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/36 "2009-07-31T15:58:38Z")
Thank you Markxxx and some others for being supportive. I guess that’s what I was looking for when I came to the boards, but I’ve also learned something that I need to digest before I attempt to put it into words. I will return after giving this more thought. And so as not to be “mean” lol, it is generally accepted as a norm that people don’t wear black when the weather is warm because black retains heat. I also know this to be true and don’t wear black if i can help it. I couldn’t help it in this instance because I was tired out from working too much and didn’t get my laundry done. Also, all of you who are incensed because I mistakenly cited the FA, you can relax, I was just mistaken, not trying to raise your hackles. It was also a mistake to look for a legal defense to a moral issue. But I still have more to sort out before I say anything further because, as I say, this is a learning experience for me and I must firmly grasp what has come to light before I can pass it on. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/37 "2009-07-31T18:25:07Z")
Wait, a soldier can’t sleep in my bed after parking his tank on my property? There goes that fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![Sebastienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Sebastienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sebastienne)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/38 "2009-07-31T19:52:28Z")
Substitute a lady Soldier, and I’m just as disappointed, **KRC** I should have more sympathy for the OP. I used to work in a position that had me working in the sun many days, and I’d occasionally get harassed by the OMGYOU’REWEARINGBLACK squad. I’ve been favoring black since before I was a teenager, and from being such a stubborn kid, have gotten pretty good at selecting tolerable summer clothes that happen to be black. Most folks would just ask if I was hot, offer to lend me a different shirt, or the like. Those I would just kindly deflect, since they’re being considerate-- even if it’s a consideration I’d prefer not to have. Some would, in fact, harp on it. The ones who harped on it were obnoxious jerks. I often find handling obnoxious jerks easier than deflecting the well-meaning, but I guess mileage varies. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/39 "2009-07-31T20:34:59Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > And so as not to be “mean” lol, it is generally accepted as a norm that people don’t wear black when the weather is warm because black retains heat. You don’t have AC where you work? If so, these folks went to all of this trouble “worrying” about you walking to and from your car?? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779/40 "2009-07-31T21:59:26Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > You don’t have AC where you work? If so, these folks went to all of this trouble “worrying” about you walking to and from your car?? Always fret on black! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-control-freaks/504779.md?page=3)